Incontinence

Urinary incontinence affects more than 13 million Americans, 85 percent of which are women. It is more common than most chronic conditions, affecting 25 percent of reproductive-aged women and 50 percent of postmenopausal women.

A number of factors may contribute to incontinence, including:

Childbirth, when tissues, muscles and nerves supporting the urethra may be damaged

Incontinence is not a normal part of the aging process, and there are a variety of treatments available. At UCSF, women with incontinence are treated at Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery clinics. A leader in the field, the program was recognized as an exceptional national model in 2004 with the first annual Continence Care Champion award from the National Association for Continence.